Forum

[MadMike]

So Norm if the problem is a distorted and/or porous cover the answer is simples. Fit another cover. Sorry just stating the blindingly obvious.

[another Allan]

I thought that the cover was flat, but the t/s crankcase mating face was not, or have I misunderstood?

[Norm]

Couple of things, the cover on wet and dry on glass shows up to be not a problem, the second cover I fitted yesterday has less gap about 25thou, the original about the 50 odd thou. I can try looking around for a new cover but out here looking for a big twin cover is needle in a haystack problems. I'll get this one welded up while I look but I'm not sure how welding around the punp spindle will go, if it will cause any greif

[Dennis C]

Norm
Our host has one available as £55.00 not sure what the cost of sending to you would be though.

[MadMike]

Norm, sorry but I am confused now. In your last posting you say you have tested the original cover on flat glass and it is "not a problem". Then you say the replacement has a .025 gap and the original a .050 gap. If the gapping is caused by the case alone then if both covers were indeed flat then they would have the same gap. Now the original had twice the gap of the replacement so it may be that you have a distorted case and distorted covers, or at least one distorted cover. If the replacement exhibits a smaller gap it is likely to be the flatter of the two. So it then follows that your glass test is not accurate perhaps. Finding a cover over here is also a needle in a haystack problem, and at an autojumble they would sell for a lot more than our hosts one at £55, so the cost of posting would almost certainly be worth the cost. Remember that when/if you weld around the pump spindle you will also have to pay for it to be remachined to recover the sealing surfaces and the pump spindle area. Then of course if the .025 or .050 gap remains it may become a potential leak area in the future. In summation then IMHO a new cover is the best bet.

[Mark M]

Norm, the second cover test is interesting. I think it suggests something is still proud and the difference in gap is a result of a slightly deeper bore on say the idler spindle hole.
REgards, Mark

[Norm]

Dennis, Mike, Mark,
Can't answer why I'm getting these variations and we spent a good hour checking that the shaft wasn't the cause of the problem, will have another think about it again today and probably the new cover is the best option. Thanks again

[Norm]

I asked on a Honda forum what they thought about JB Weld for sealing up this perosity problem and an overwhelming amout of responses have come back saying to go the 290 Loctite. A friend quite a while ago sugested I use it on a Connei that was leaking around the cases but I never got around to doing it but the 290 always remained in the back of my mind. Suggestions such as boiling the case to try getting the oil out of the perrostiy or crack to give the 290 a real chance at bonding. Putting the case in the oven so that it is expanded and as it cools the 290 sucks itself into the crack. Will let you know how it works out

[Alan R]

Hi NORM ---- Loctite 290 is a high strength THREAD LOCK. God knows we got through gallons of the stuff on the MoD APC's. I can't see it being successful as a gap filler of the magnitude that you are encountering. Having said that I've never tried it in that scenario so maybe it will work. However, as it utilises the ANAEROBIC process ( ie a "no oxygen" curing process) then your gaps are going to be too big I would have thought ?? If you are sure that POROSITY is the culprit then have a look at our hosts GLYPTAL PAINT part No.}--- 97056 . We used a similar product on all the Alumuniun and Duralumin engine & g'box casings etc and it works a treat.

[Norm]

Hi Alan,
I'm not talking about the gap, that is easily enough pulled together with your hands, the cover has enough flex in it to take up the gap. The problem is that the perosity/crack is from the pump spindle housing to the outside, above the oil filter housing. I can't attempt any fix from the inside of the spindle housing so anything I can do is from the outside, and from what you have to remember this perosity/crack is so small we are looking at it with a magnifying glass and some say it is a crack, others not sure but what I do know is if I plug the bottom of the pump spindle and fill it with oil after a couple of hours, it appears oily in where the crack is. You have to love these Enfields or they would send a sane man silly